The Ultimate 2025 Guide To: The Best Things To Do This Fall in and around Asheville, North Carolina

Fall in Asheville is pure magic. Crisp mountain air, vibrant leaf color, and cozy small-town charm make it one of the best places in the U.S. to experience autumn. Peak color in the North Carolina mountains begins at the highest elevations in early October and gradually moves down the mountains through late October into early and mid November. Asheville is predicted to reach peak color between October 23 and October 31, 2025, making it one of the most popular times to plan a fall trip. For the ultimate leaf-peeping views, don’t miss a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, famous for its sweeping overlooks and fiery fall foliage.

In this guide, we’re sharing the best things to do in and around Asheville this fall. From classic autumn favorites like apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses to unforgettable mountain adventures along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville offers something for every type of traveler. This curated list highlights 19 local businesses and experiences that showcase the very best of fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Many of these featured local businesses are also sharing exclusive discounts just for Travel Guides Asheville followers 🤍

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1. The Nix Pumpkin Patch

Instagram: @thenixpumpkinpatch

Location: 3726 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC

We are a one-of-a-kind pick your own Pumpkin Patch. We also offer a pick your own zinnia flower patch. We have a jump pad available for children 12 and under and all kinds of unique goodies in our Farm store. We truly enjoy the fall seeing all of the children being able to experience going out into an actual Pumpkin Patch and cutting their own pumpkin from the vine. We also have a large variety of different colors and sizes of pumpkins as well as miniature gourds that look like pumpkins.

2. Salt Face Mule Brewing Co.

Instagram: @saltfacemule

Location: 450 Weaverville Hwy, Asheville, NC

Join us this fall and enjoy some southern-inspired food alongside award-winning house-brewed beers, mini golf, bocce courts, creative cocktails, outdoor seating, and more!

Starting October 1st, our new fall menu will be available, featuring delicious seasonal favorites. Be sure to try our Festbier “Burning Daylight” as well! Take in views of the surrounding fall foliage as you play a round of mini golf, sip on drinks, and treat yourself to some amazing food.

Salt Face Mule is proud to be both family-friendly and pet-friendly, making it the perfect spot to gather with the whole crew. Cheers, friends!

3. Darnell Farms

Instagram: @darnellfarmsnc

Location: 2300 Governors Island Rd, Bryson City, NC

When the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, Darnell Farms comes alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of autumn. Open to the public every day, our family farm is the perfect place to slow down, soak in Smoky Mountain views, and make fall memories that last.

Wander through our produce stand, brimming with fresh-picked apples, corn, pumpkins, and homemade jams. Take home the taste of the season—or just stop by to enjoy the atmosphere.

Looking for more adventure? Hop on our one-mile scenic hayride to the pumpkin patch, or challenge yourself in our corn maze scavenger hunt. Tickets are available online or at the gate, so you can plan ahead or play it by ear.

Of course, many activities at the farm are free for all to enjoy, from photo ops to open spaces for kids to play. Every visit—whether you’re buying produce, picking a pumpkin, or simply strolling the fields—helps sustain our family farm for the future.

Come for the pumpkins, stay for the memories, and leave with a little piece of autumn from Darnell Farms.

4. Navitat

Instagram: @naviat

Location: 242 Poverty Branch Rd, Barnardsville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Use code FALL15 for 15% off the Mountaintop Tour Book online or call to redeem. Offer valid through the end of the season.

There’s no better way to experience fall than zipping through it over the Blue Ridge Mountains! At Navitat Canopy Adventures Asheville, we’re celebrating 15 incredible years of taking guests on tree top adventures. With award winning zipline tours, voted Best of WNC 14 years running, you’ll soar across side by side mountaintop lines reaching up to 3,600 feet in length at jaw dropping speeds.

Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned thrill seeker, there’s something for everyone here: try the immersive Treetop Express tour, or go big with the full Mountaintop Tour adventure (check out our TGA discount offer!).

Tours are available for adventurers aged 5 and up, making Navitat an ideal fall outing for families. Plus, we offer special autumn deals, seasonal discounts, GoPro rentals and photo packages so you can capture all the color and excitement.

Escape the ordinary this season with crisp air, blazing foliage, and unforgettable views. Find your next fall adventure at Navitat!

Website

5. Cats at Play Cafe

Instagram: @catsatplaycafe

Location: 12 Eagle St, Asheville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Complimentary vinyl cat sticker when you mention Travel Guides Asheville.

Looking for the purrfect Asheville fall adventure? Visit Cats at Play Cafe where coffee, cuddles, and curiosity collide! Nestled downtown, this cozy cat café pairs locally roasted coffee, teas, and pumpkin-spiced lattes with the company of adorable, adoptable rescue cats.

Each whiskered resident comes from Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue, and every visit helps them get one paw closer to a forever home. Whether you’re a traveler missing your own fur baby, a family seeking a unique outing, or a local looking for the cat’s meow of fall hangouts, Cats at Play Café offers warmth, purrs, and plenty of photo-worthy memories.

Reservations are recommended for the lounge (ages 8+). Kiddie Kitty sessions for children under 8 are Saturdays at 10 am and Mondays at 11 am. The café is always open for anyone to stop in for a latte or browse the cat-themed boutique. Come for the coffee, stay for the cuddles, and fall in love—literally—with Asheville’s sweetest autumn escape

6. Axeville Throwing Club

Instagram: @axeville_avl

Location: 99 New Leicester Hwy #20, Asheville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Use promo code TGAAVL for 10% off! Valid through September 7, 2026.

Axeville, Asheville’s first axe-throwing club, offers a fun and unique experience in a modern, cozy space. With 10 targets, comfortable lounges, an outdoor area, and games for groups of up to 60, it’s a must-visit destination. Enjoy craft beer, cider, and wine while you throw—perfect for outings with friends, family, or coworkers!

7. Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard

Instagram: @steppshillcrestorchard

Location: 170 Stepp Orchard Dr, Hendersonville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Use code VIP10 for 10% off our Online-Only VIP Packages—complete with u-pick containers, bundled activity tickets, and express check-in. Valid through the 2025 season.

Fall comes alive at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, a fourth-generation family farm nestled in Hendersonville, NC. Surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the orchard offers an authentic autumn experience that blends tradition, family fun, and farm-fresh flavors.

Guests can stroll through acres of u-pick orchards to harvest crisp apples straight from the tree, or venture into fields of sunflowers and zinnias for bright blooms to take home. Grapes are a seasonal highlight, offering a sweet, short-lived treat you won’t want to miss. As October approaches, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are ready for picking, perfect for decorating or carving.

For adventure seekers, the 5-acre corn maze is open daily, inviting families to twist and turn their way through farm-themed fun. On weekends, wagon rides provide scenic views of the orchard, kids can bounce on the jump pad, and visitors of all ages can test their aim with the apple cannon.

No trip is complete without a stop at the Apple House, where fresh apple cider donuts, slushies, and other fall favorites await. Whether you’re making memories with your kids, planning a cozy fall date, or simply enjoying the crisp mountain air, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard offers the perfect fall getaway.

8. Lakeview Putt & Play

Instagram: @lakeviewputtandplay

Location: 2245 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC

Beautiful native landscaping provides a stunning backdrop to a great game of mini golf at Lakeview Putt and Play. Located on the shores of Lake Julian, this golf course features waterfalls, jump shots, and the longest hole in WNC! Our ADA accessible loop makes golf enjoyable by all, regardless of abilities. Extend your visit by booking outdoor laser tag or Gellyball on our lakefront battlefield.

Inside attractions include immersive virtual reality booths with over 30 interactive games to play alone or with a friend, as well as our newest attraction-Gem Mining! Don't miss trying the area's most delicious, locally prepared ice cream from The Hop. With over ten flavors of dairy and vegan options, there's something for everyone!

9. Blue Ridge Hiking Co

Instagram: @blueridgehikingco

Location: 70 College St, Asheville, NC

Choose your own adventure! Blue Ridge Hiking Company is Asheville's premier hiking guide service. Their privately guided half- and full-day hikes can be fully customized to your group’s interests - whether you want to see fall foliage from the Blue Ridge Parkway, feel the crisp fall air from a mountaintop, or visit a waterfall.

They also offer small group waterfall tours on weekend mornings, corporate and large group hikes, and guided backpacking trips.

Or, stop by their boutique in downtown Asheville to shop lightweight cottage industry backpacking gear, local trail-inspired art, or get advice on the best places to hike on your own.

10. Durrant Farms Estate

Instagram: @durrantfarms

Location: 157 Browntown Rd, Leicester, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Use code GOLOCAL at checkout for $10 off per person, valid through September 7, 2026.

At Durrant Farms Estate, fall comes alive with crisp air, golden leaves, and misty mountain views. Just outside Asheville, our working alpaca farm and wedding venue offers a setting unlike anywhere else—a place where guests can connect with nature, animals, and each other.

Our signature Brunch with Alpacas is a highlight of the season which runs through end of October. Guests enjoy a picnic-style spread, then settle in among our friendly herd for an unforgettable morning filled with laughter, alpaca encounters, and photo opportunities framed by Blue Ridge color. It’s a simple yet extraordinary way to celebrate autumn in the mountains.

Beyond brunch, visitors can explore woodland trails, wander down to the pond, or simply take in the quiet beauty of the estate. For those who wish to extend their stay, we offer a cozy two-bedroom cottage, dedicated RV sites, and tent camping near our sauna deck—perfect for a fall retreat under the stars.

Whether you’re planning a day trip with friends, a bachelorette celebration, wedding or a weekend getaway, Durrant Farms Estate blends rustic charm with modern comforts. This fall, experience the magic of alpacas, mountain air, and a farmstead made for memories.

11. The Haunted Farm

Instagram: @thehauntedfarm

Location: 624 Townsend Rd, Hendersonville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Use code TGA10 for 10% off tickets throughout the season when booking online (not valid on season passes).

Dare to enter Western North Carolina’s scariest attraction this fall: The Haunted Farm. Voted the Best Haunted House in NC, The Haunted Farm has been terrifying guests for over a decade with a chilling blend of haunted trails, eerie cornfields, and spine-tingling encounters around every corner.

Located in rural farmland just outside Hendersonville, this legendary haunt sits on a blood-soaked stretch of land cursed by the long-standing feud between the Lively and Tate families. Ghosts, derangements, curses, and unspeakable horrors linger here, drawing brave souls from near and far who dare to test their courage.

Every fall season, The Haunted Farm unveils new scenes and scares designed to keep even the bravest thrill seekers on edge. With immersive storytelling, high-quality sets, and relentless scares, it’s no wonder The Haunted Farm has become a must-visit Halloween destination across the Southeast.

If you think you can survive the terror, gather your friends and step into the darkness this October. The Haunted Farm is waiting for you.

12. Sachi Spa

Instagram: @sachi.spa.asheville

Location: 210 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Mention TGA in the booking notes section for $15 off any service! Valid through September 7, 2026

Treat yourself to the essence of fall at Sachi Spa, where warmth and tranquility welcome you the moment you arrive. For more than 10 years, Sachi Spa has been part of the local community, dedicated to enhancing the health, wellness, body, and mind of every client.

This fall, embrace the changing season with restorative treatments designed to help you unwind, recharge, and feel your best. Choose from a wide variety of therapeutic massage techniques, from deep tissue to relaxation styles, as well as luxurious spa packages tailored for total renewal. Sachi Spa also offers rejuvenating facial services, traditional Thai sessions, and specialized treatments that let you customize your self-care experience.

Whether you’re seeking stress relief, a seasonal refresh, or simply a peaceful escape from your busy routine, Sachi Spa provides the perfect retreat. Their skilled practitioners combine expertise with personalized care to ensure every visit leaves you restored in both body and spirit.

Step into fall feeling balanced, radiant, and renewed—Sachi Spa is here to help you nurture your wellness journey.

13. MTB Skills Factory

Instagram: @mtbskillsfactory

Location: We service all trail systems in Western North Carolina. Our guides can meet you at the trailhead or even pick you up on the way.

TGA Followers Discount: Use code TGA10 for 10% off any booking. Valid through December 31, 2026.

MTB Skills Factory is the region's premier provider for Mountain Bike Adventures! Join us this fall for a guided mountain bike ride or private skills lesson to explore the endless trails this area is famous for, the best fall colors, and perfect conditions.

Custom tailored to your experience level and ride goals, our team of highly professional coaches and guides are the best around to ensure you have a magical mountain experience.

Pick up / drop off, mountain bike rentals, and shuttle transports are all available. Ride with us, Ride Better!

14. Drip Sauna

Instagram: @drip_sauna

Location: Location: 123 Flow State Vista, Asheville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Use code TGADRIP20 for 20% off community or private sessions. One per customer. Valid through August 31, 2026

Located just outside downtown Asheville, Drip Sauna offers wood-fired sauna and cold plunge sessions in a peaceful setting overlooking the French Broad. We host community sessions every day, as well as private bookings, events, and special seasonal gatherings.

Each visit includes access to our hot saunas, cold plunges, outdoor showers, and space to relax and reset. You can come on your own, bring a friend, or gather a group.

Website

15. Namaste in Nature

Instagram: @namaste_in_nature

TGA Followers Discount: Use code NiN10w6 for 10% off when booking with 6+ people. Valid through August 29, 2026.

Looking for unique things to do in Asheville that combine nature, movement, and mindfulness? Namaste in Nature offers unforgettable micro retreats that blend outdoor adventure with wellness practices designed to leave you feeling refreshed and inspired. Our signature experiences include guided hikes to breathtaking mountaintops or serene waterfalls paired with yoga, meditation, and meaningful moments in nature.

These 2–3 hour micro retreats are perfect for groups looking to unplug, reconnect, and soak in Asheville’s natural beauty. Along the way, we’ll share local history and insights about the trails and surrounding landscapes. Your guide will also capture candid photos throughout the journey—so you can stay present and still take home beautiful memories.

Prefer to stay in? We bring the yoga to you with a personalized 60-minute class at your rental, indoors or outside. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply prioritizing wellness during your trip, we tailor each experience to meet your group’s needs.

We also offer public Yoga in the Park classes on weekends in peaceful West Asheville, or you can book a private session for a more intimate setting.

Reconnect with yourself, your group, and the natural world. With Namaste in Nature, your time in Asheville becomes a wellness experience to remember.

16. Asheville Mountain Kitchen

Instagram: @ashevillemountainkitchen

Location: 332 E Sondley Dr, Asheville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Mention TGA when booking for 10% off. Valid through September 7, 2026.

Asheville Mountain Kitchen isn’t a restaurant—it’s a boutique cooking school nestled in the Haw Creek neighborhood, just minutes from downtown Asheville.

Here’s what makes it unique:

Hands-On and Inclusive: The school specializes in interactive, participatory cooking classes for individuals, couples, families, and groups—up to 100 participants, though most settings are more intimate.

The Skillful Cook: Instead of station-based setups, everyone works together in each step of the cooking process—from prep to plating—encouraging collaboration and learning. Asheville Mountain Kitchen

Scenic and Home-Style Setting: Tucked in a residential setting near the Blue Ridge Parkway, the school offers serene mountain views and occasionally hosts classes outdoors on a deck. It’s cozy, relaxed, and personal—a lovely retreat for culinary exploration.

Wide-Ranging Cuisine & Themes: Classes range from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes to Asian-inspired meals like Indian, Thai, and Chinese cuisine. Asheville Mountain Kitchen There are also themed classes—Mediterranean diet, Moroccan tagine, dumplings from around the world, Greek pastries, pasta making, and more. Many menus are seasonal and often tied to holidays or cookbook themes.

Farm-to-Table & Foraging Focus: The kitchen uses fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible—sometimes even incorporating foraged items from the surrounding woods. Guests can optionally visit some of the local farms providing ingredients—a great way to connect with the region.

Perfect for Team Building & Special Occasions: Offers private group classes, corporate team-building events, and even cooking competitions (Iron Chef–style, tapas challenges, food truck branding)—everything fully organized with chefs, MCs, and prizes if desired. Classes are also available for families and kids—great for bonding or celebrations.

Friendly, Accessible, Accommodating: All dietary preferences—including vegan, gluten-free, and other special needs—are welcomed and accommodated, often even last-minute. The atmosphere is friendly, encouraging, and community-focused—the kind of place where everyone leaves with new skills, recipes, and stories.

17. Asheville Fly Fishing Company

Instagram: @ashevilleflyfishingco

AFFC is an award-winning guide service celebrating their 11th year in business in 2025. This friendly, safety-oriented, veteran team of guides offers professional fishing trips for Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Musky in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. They are ranked #1 in Asheville based on customer reviews.

We value long-lasting relationships with our guests and enjoy sharing memorable days on the water. As a guide-owned and operated service, we are committed to doing good work, paying attention to the fine details, and always anticipating the next move with grace and respect—all while providing you with the trip of a lifetime.

We specialize in teaching fly fishing techniques, tactics, and fish psychology. Our professional, hard-working guides love introducing people to the finest waters this area has to offer. We welcome anglers of all experience levels and enjoy helping clients develop their fly fishing skills.

For more advanced, thrill-seeking anglers, we also provide the most challenging yet rewarding fly fishing you’ll experience.

18. Taco Boy

Instagram: @tacoboyeats

Locations: 2 Town Square Blvd #120, Asheville, NC & 521 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC

TGA Followers Discount: Weekday Lunch Combo $14 (Mon–Fri till 4): 2 tacos + rice & beans + drink; add chips & guac +$5

Taco Boy is Asheville's go-to taco spot for festive vibes, fresh margs, and community. Perfect for weeknights, date nights, or weekend gatherings. Two Asheville locations. Same Taco Boy energy.

Here’s what’s happening every week at West Asheville + Biltmore Park:

Daily: Happy Hour from 3–6pm

Monday: ½ Price Wings + $2 PBR

Tuesday: $5 Casa Margs for Tequila Tuesday

Weekdays: Lunch Special — tasty, filling + the best value

Website

19. Wildwood Still

Instagram: @wildwoodstill

Location: 61 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC

Join us at Wildwood Still on Sunday, September 28th from 6–9PM for an unforgettable evening of exceptional bourbon, elevated cuisine, and live music. We’re partnering with Buffalo Trace to bring you a one-of-a-kind dining experience featuring a chef-curated menu and exclusive bourbon tasting—all for $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Your evening begins with a welcome cocktail crafted to showcase the depth and character of Buffalo Trace’s spirits. From there, indulge in a seasonal menu designed to pair beautifully with each pour, with highlights such as:

• Short Rib Dim Sum

• Miso Cacio e Pepe

• …and more chef’s selections

Between courses, you’ll savor an allocated Buffalo Trace flight, featuring rare and sought-after expressions. Guiding you through the experience will be Buffalo Trace representative Tyler Ball, who will share tasting notes, insights, and the rich history behind each bourbon.

To set the mood, live music from Roots & Dore will provide the perfect backdrop to sip, savor, and celebrate.